7 Days at Leisure and Explore Mafia Island

Overview

Duration: 7 Days

Mafia Island is part of the Tanzanian Zanzibar Archipelago. This tropical island is a true paradise in the Indian Ocean and is especially suitable for scuba diving, fishing and just relaxing. On arrival, transfer to your resort hotel in Chole Bay for a 6-night stay. Your time is totally free to enjoy the facilities of the resort or explore the island. Aquatic life is abundant and the coral gardens are pristine due to the protection of the Mafia Island Marine Park.

Optional Activities:

Snorkeling, Scuba diving, and swimming around the islets and beautiful coral shelves of Chole Bay
Swim and snorkel with the amazing whale sharks (usually October-March)
Turtle-hatching season from July to September
Sailing on traditional jahazis or outrigger ngalawas with locals. sailors
Guided excursions to villages on the islands to see traditional village community life and economic activity, such as boat building and farming
Visiting Kilindoni Town, Mafia Island’s Kilindoni Town offers a few amenities, such as a bank and post office. It also hosts a local market, for items such as fresh produce and fish or seafood
Bird-watching: Across the Mafia area, bird lovers have the opportunity to spy on over 120 species of unique tropical birds. The forests in the northern area of Mafia offer the best chances to see birdlife, but, because everything is ‘extra’ in Tanzania and its islands – Mafia Island is one of the few places you can have an excellent bird-watching tour, from the waters of the Indian Ocean, seated in a traditional Tanzania dhow.t
Deep-sea fishing is especially popular in the area, offering guests the chance to catch great barracuda, kingfish, enormous tuna (both yellowfin and dogtooth tuna varieties), giant trevally, and dorado.

Itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Mafia Island

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Mafia Island. Upon arrival at Kilindoni Airport you will be met by a Kilele Climb Tours representative and transferred to your chosen hotel where you will spend the next five nights.

Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner Included.

Day 2: Day at Leisure and Explore Mafia Island

For the next few nights, enjoy Mafia Island at your own leisure. If you’re visiting Mafia Island between October and March, you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel with Whale Sharks, or if you’re visiting between July and October you may be lucky enough to see Humpback Whales. From June to September you can join a turtle-hatching trip and witness hundreds of baby turtles scramble from the sandy beaches to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Day 3: Day at Leisure and Explore Mafia Island

You may wish to join a full day excursion to the sand banks, or enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional dhow. Stroll through Chole village, where you can visit the old mosque, the Fruit Bat sanctuary or the boat yard or you may wish to explore Mrora Forest, Ras Mbizi Coconut Plantation or the Lighthouse at Ras Mkumbi.

Day 4: Day at Leisure and Explore Mafia Island

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax. *Inform us of what excursions and activities you’d like to participate in for an overall price of the trip.

Day 5: Day at Leisure and Explore Mafia Island

Explore Mafia island in your own leisure. *Inform us of what excursions and activities you’d like to participate in for an overall price of the trip.

Day 6: Day at Leisure and Explore Mafia Island

Day 7: International Return Flight

Today after breakfast you’ll be driven back to Kilindoni Airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam. Our driver will meet you at the domestic airport to transfer you to the international airport to catch your flight back home.